WATCH, Charlevoix city officials asks drivers not to idle cars while waiting for the drawbridge

June 30, 2010

Motorists sit in their cars on Bridge Street Monday waiting for the Charlevoix bridge to close. City and local environmental group leaders are hoping that more of them will soon start turning off their vehicle’s engines during such waits. (Steve Zucker/Charlevoix Courier)

In an effort to raise awareness of air quality in downtown Charlevoix, WATCh Inc. (Water and Air Team Charlevoix along with the City of Charlevoix and the Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority have declared the week of June 28-July 4 to be “Idle Free Week” and the summer of 2010 to be “Idle Free Season.”

“With the City, MDOT, and the DDA's encouragement, WATCH will have several beautiful Idle Free Charlevoix banners gracing our streets reminding people what a beautiful place this is to live, vacation, and enjoy. We have had such great response from everyone, we hope other communities will follow Charlevoix's lead,” WATCH executive administrator Michelle Rick-Biddick said.

WATCH officials said that motorists could save more than 3,000 gallons of gas and 58,000 lbs. of carbon emissions if just 25 cars turned off their cars each time there is a wait for the Charlevoix bridge to open and close.

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“Our goal is to educate and make people aware of turning off their cars while waiting for the bridge, running into the post office, or grocery store, etc. Most people don’t realize that any time they are idling more than 10 seconds, they are wasting gas.” states Rick-Biddick said “I don't think people intentionally leave their cars running to waste gas, exposing shoppers and store owners to dangerous emissions. I just think they don't think about it. We want to change that behavior.”

During the Idle Free Week WATCH will have handouts and bumper stickers available to remind people to “Turn of their key, be idle free.”

“We want Charlevoix to be as clean and green as possible. Many communities assess fines if car owners are caught needlessly idling. We just want to encourage them to do the right thing so we can all breathe a little easier." Rick-Biddick stated.

For more information on the Idle Free Campaign and other activities, contact WATCH at (231) 547-5530 or email at watchcharlevoix@gmail.com.